Jn

"Jim2009"

29/01/2009 2:06 AM

Plans/pics/ideas for a building Youth Bed.

Hi all,

I have a 5 years nephew that often spends the weekend. I would like to
build him a bed (twin size). I was thinking about a train bed, but I'm told
he now thinks Thomas the Train is for babies! LOL. Anyways, I have decided
to stay away from theme beds. I would like to build a basic box bed with
some storage (maybe drawers underneath and a headboard with shelves). It
would be nice if the bed was some how fun for the child, maybe a canopy or
something. I can build about anything, but finding the right look or idea
could take me months.

Any good pics or plans out there?

Thanks for reading,
Jim


This topic has 23 replies

Ww

Woody

in reply to "Jim2009" on 29/01/2009 2:06 AM

29/01/2009 1:41 PM

Jim2009 wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I have a 5 years nephew that often spends the weekend. I would like to
> build him a bed (twin size). I was thinking about a train bed, but I'm told
> he now thinks Thomas the Train is for babies! LOL. Anyways, I have decided
> to stay away from theme beds. I would like to build a basic box bed with
> some storage (maybe drawers underneath and a headboard with shelves). It
> would be nice if the bed was some how fun for the child, maybe a canopy or
> something. I can build about anything, but finding the right look or idea
> could take me months.
>
> Any good pics or plans out there?
>
> Thanks for reading,
> Jim
>
>

No plans, but lots of pictures here:

http://www.woodwrecker.com/woodworking/projects/castle%20bed/

I finished and installed this for my daughters 5 days before my twin
sons were born. We had a local artist paint it. We'll be repainting it
to be more "boy friendly" and having them use it.

I'd argue that making it for "a child" will make it all the more
memorable and special. I suspect my daughters will *always* remember
their bed.

Doing it again, I'd build the turrets from 12" diameter PVC piping
versus plywood. Would save time *and* money.

Any questions, give a holler.

~Mark.

RM

Randy Melton

in reply to "Jim2009" on 29/01/2009 2:06 AM

31/01/2009 6:01 PM

I built a dump truck bed for my 3 year old. He seems to like it.
I recently put some switches on the dashboard that control lights.
(The priority was the bed structure so I add a few details every month
or so.)
He uses the cab light (led) as a night light.

I put the drawing on google sketchup:
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=3D2da5749dc311a2734d21ee=
28beab7a27

and some documentation on a web page:
http://www.sawbee.com/rwmProjects/truckBed.shtml

Feel free to copy anything I did.
randy melton


On Jan 29, 1:06=A0am, "Jim2009" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I have a 5 years nephew that often spends the weekend. =A0I would like to
> build him a bed (twin size). =A0I was thinking about a train bed, but I'm=
told
> he now thinks Thomas the Train is for babies! =A0LOL. =A0Anyways, I have =
decided
> to stay away from theme beds. =A0I would like to build a basic box bed wi=
th
> some storage (maybe drawers underneath and a headboard with shelves). =A0=
It
> would be nice if the bed was some how fun for the child, maybe a canopy o=
r
> something. =A0I can build about anything, but finding the right look or i=
dea
> could take me months.
>
> Any good pics or plans out there?
>
> Thanks for reading,
> Jim

EE

"Ed Edelenbos"

in reply to "Jim2009" on 29/01/2009 2:06 AM

29/01/2009 7:53 AM



"Jim2009" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi all,
>
> I have a 5 years nephew that often spends the weekend. I would like to
> build him a bed (twin size). I was thinking about a train bed, but I'm
> told he now thinks Thomas the Train is for babies! LOL. Anyways, I have
> decided to stay away from theme beds. I would like to build a basic box
> bed with some storage (maybe drawers underneath and a headboard with
> shelves). It would be nice if the bed was some how fun for the child,
> maybe a canopy or something. I can build about anything, but finding the
> right look or idea could take me months.
>
> Any good pics or plans out there?
>
> Thanks for reading,
> Jim
>
>

I should have taken pics and kept the drawings I made... Just a few months
ago I made a loft bed for my son. He always loved to play on his sisters
bunkbeds. It has a shelf under for his computer/dvd player to go on, a book
shelf, and a good comfortable chair to read in.

Ed

DP

"Dave - Parkville, MD"

in reply to "Jim2009" on 29/01/2009 2:06 AM

29/01/2009 5:34 AM

On Jan 29, 3:06=A0am, "Jim2009" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I have a 5 years nephew that often spends the weekend. =A0I would like to
> build him a bed (twin size). =A0I was thinking about a train bed, but I'm=
told
> he now thinks Thomas the Train is for babies! =A0LOL. =A0Anyways, I have =
decided
> to stay away from theme beds. =A0I would like to build a basic box bed wi=
th
> some storage (maybe drawers underneath and a headboard with shelves). =A0=
It
> would be nice if the bed was some how fun for the child, maybe a canopy o=
r
> something. =A0I can build about anything, but finding the right look or i=
dea
> could take me months.
>
> Any good pics or plans out there?
>
> Thanks for reading,
> Jim

There is a guy who displays his beds on Lumberjocks. May give you
some ideas:

http://lumberjocks.com/jocks/wwbeds/projects

nn

in reply to "Jim2009" on 29/01/2009 2:06 AM

29/01/2009 1:18 AM

On Jan 29, 2:06=A0am, "Jim2009" <[email protected]> wrote:

> =A0I can build about anything, but finding the right look or idea
> could take me months.

All I can say Jim, is get on it. My nephew got so big so fast that I
doubt he would be interested in something that wasn't versatile for
more than a year or two.

> Any good pics or plans out there?

Just for some quick ideas, check this out: http://tinyurl.com/djdnfh

I like the 3 in 1. But I have seen the "adapt a bed" built without
the floor level bed. Instead of the floor level bed, a small play
table was built on one end and toy box on the other. It seemed to me
that an imaginative lad could make it a small shop, a fort, a command
center and just about anything else he could dream up.

Robert

nn

in reply to "Jim2009" on 29/01/2009 2:06 AM

29/01/2009 8:32 AM

On Jan 29, 8:57=A0am, Pat Barber <[email protected]> wrote:

> http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=3D18923&filter=3D3d%20bed

> is what I think Robert was suggesting.

Yes it is. Thanks, Pat.

Robert

RC

Robatoy

in reply to "Jim2009" on 29/01/2009 2:06 AM

29/01/2009 7:26 AM

On Jan 29, 3:06=A0am, "Jim2009" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I have a 5 years nephew that often spends the weekend. =A0I would like to
> build him a bed (twin size). =A0I was thinking about a train bed, but I'm=
told
> he now thinks Thomas the Train is for babies! =A0LOL. =A0Anyways, I have =
decided
> to stay away from theme beds. =A0I would like to build a basic box bed wi=
th
> some storage (maybe drawers underneath and a headboard with shelves). =A0=
It
> would be nice if the bed was some how fun for the child, maybe a canopy o=
r
> something. =A0I can build about anything, but finding the right look or i=
dea
> could take me months.
>
> Any good pics or plans out there?
>
> Thanks for reading,
> Jim

A captain's bed. Timeless design and very versatile. Hang some
nautical elements on the wall around it. Maybe a world map... either
an old style or modern map in a matching frame. Maps feed kids' brains.

Ww

Woody

in reply to "Jim2009" on 29/01/2009 2:06 AM

30/01/2009 10:54 AM

CW wrote:
> "Woody" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> I finished and installed this for my daughters 5 days before my twin
>> sons were born. We had a local artist paint it. We'll be repainting it
>> to be more "boy friendly" and having them use it.
>>
>> I'd argue that making it for "a child" will make it all the more
>> memorable and special. I suspect my daughters will *always* remember
>> their bed.
>>
>> Doing it again, I'd build the turrets from 12" diameter PVC piping
>> versus plywood. Would save time *and* money.
>>
>> Any questions, give a holler.
>
>
>
> Looks good for the kids and, if the inside of the turrets were done right, a
> good place for the cats.
>
>

Well, don't much care for cats, but it works for the stuffed animals.

And yes, this was a *ton* of work. It got so I hated coming home at
night because I had a pending deadline (birth of twin sons) and would
have to work late to get this done.

As a personal joke, I had the artist paint a "large white seabird" on
the underside of the top bunk so that looking up from the bottom bunk,
you could see it. She asked my why I wanted that. I told her is was the
albatross that had been tied around my neck while building the bed.

The good thing about these things is I forget about all the work a
couple days/weeks later.

~Mark.

Lr

"Leon"

in reply to "Jim2009" on 29/01/2009 2:06 AM

31/01/2009 9:59 AM

I built one for our son before he was born. Maple and walnut and very
similar to the one in the first link with the tent. The side rails were the
same an the one pictured. Typically "kids" wand to be treated like they
were about 5 years older than their actual age. Once out of the crib and
into the "big boys" bed I built a taller side rail that attached to the
existing side rail to keep him from rolling out at night. Once he was 4 or
5 years old we removed the extra rail and he has been using that bed up
through today, he is a senior in college and will graduate this spring.




"Jim2009" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> "Jim2009" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> I have a 5 years nephew that often spends the weekend. I would like to
>>> build him a bed (twin size). I was thinking about a train bed, but I'm
>>> told he now thinks Thomas the Train is for babies! LOL. Anyways, I
>>> have decided to stay away from theme beds. I would like to build a
>>> basic box bed with some storage (maybe drawers underneath and a
>>> headboard with shelves). It would be nice if the bed was some how fun
>>> for the child, maybe a canopy or something. I can build about anything,
>>> but finding the right look or idea could take me months.
>>>
>>> Any good pics or plans out there?
>>>
>>> Thanks for reading,
>>> Jim
>>>
>>>
>>
>> What ever you build, don't build it for a 5 year old, or a 6 year old, or
>> a 9 year old. See where I am going with htis? He will be a teenager
>> before you know it. Build something that you would not mind sleeping in.
>> Build something that you would want to actually keep.
>>
>
> I agree to a certain point. I don't want to make a kids bed, but a bed
> that would start out a little interesting for a child but be able to
> convert into a more normal bed later on.
>
> This is something like I thinking.
>
> http://www.sweetretreatkids.com/maxtrix-kids-playfort-daybed-BRnat.html
>
> Then as he grows I could remove the tent top.
>
> But I also want storage under it like in this pic.
>
> http://www.kidsfurnituremart.com/kids-beds/twin-beds/valentinabed.cfm
>
> Cheers,
> Jim
>
>

Jn

"Jim2009"

in reply to "Jim2009" on 29/01/2009 2:06 AM

29/01/2009 3:39 PM


"Dave - Parkville, MD" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:722cb320-18f7-4efd-900c-501ee42cd511@p20g2000yqi.googlegroups.com...
There is a guy who displays his beds on Lumberjocks. May give you
some ideas:

http://lumberjocks.com/jocks/wwbeds/projects


Cool Murphy beds! I never thought about that.

Cheers,
Jim

Cc

"CW"

in reply to "Jim2009" on 29/01/2009 2:06 AM

29/01/2009 2:47 PM


"Woody" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I finished and installed this for my daughters 5 days before my twin
> sons were born. We had a local artist paint it. We'll be repainting it
> to be more "boy friendly" and having them use it.
>
> I'd argue that making it for "a child" will make it all the more
> memorable and special. I suspect my daughters will *always* remember
> their bed.
>
> Doing it again, I'd build the turrets from 12" diameter PVC piping
> versus plywood. Would save time *and* money.
>
> Any questions, give a holler.



Looks good for the kids and, if the inside of the turrets were done right, a
good place for the cats.

Aa

Aardvark

in reply to "Jim2009" on 29/01/2009 2:06 AM

29/01/2009 11:26 AM

On Thu, 29 Jan 2009 01:18:42 -0800, [email protected] wrote:

> http://tinyurl.com/djdnfh

Got an error 404 on that link.



--
The month of March in this year of 2009 sees the centenary of the laying
of the keel of the most famous (or infamous) ocean liner of all time, RMS
Titanic, at Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast.
< http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Titanic>

Jn

"Jim2009"

in reply to "Jim2009" on 29/01/2009 2:06 AM

31/01/2009 11:35 PM

Looks sharp!


"Randy Melton" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:6bb07c2a-46c1-4243-8ad7-917efee4e10c@v39g2000pro.googlegroups.com...
I built a dump truck bed for my 3 year old. He seems to like it.
I recently put some switches on the dashboard that control lights.
(The priority was the bed structure so I add a few details every month
or so.)
He uses the cab light (led) as a night light.

I put the drawing on google sketchup:
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=2da5749dc311a2734d21ee28beab7a27

and some documentation on a web page:
http://www.sawbee.com/rwmProjects/truckBed.shtml

Feel free to copy anything I did.
randy melton


On Jan 29, 1:06 am, "Jim2009" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I have a 5 years nephew that often spends the weekend. I would like to
> build him a bed (twin size). I was thinking about a train bed, but I'm
> told
> he now thinks Thomas the Train is for babies! LOL. Anyways, I have decided
> to stay away from theme beds. I would like to build a basic box bed with
> some storage (maybe drawers underneath and a headboard with shelves). It
> would be nice if the bed was some how fun for the child, maybe a canopy or
> something. I can build about anything, but finding the right look or idea
> could take me months.
>
> Any good pics or plans out there?
>
> Thanks for reading,
> Jim

Jn

"Jim2009"

in reply to "Jim2009" on 29/01/2009 2:06 AM

29/01/2009 3:36 PM


"Ed Edelenbos" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>
> "Jim2009" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I have a 5 years nephew that often spends the weekend. I would like to
>> build him a bed (twin size). I was thinking about a train bed, but I'm
>> told he now thinks Thomas the Train is for babies! LOL. Anyways, I have
>> decided to stay away from theme beds. I would like to build a basic box
>> bed with some storage (maybe drawers underneath and a headboard with
>> shelves). It would be nice if the bed was some how fun for the child,
>> maybe a canopy or something. I can build about anything, but finding the
>> right look or idea could take me months.
>>
>> Any good pics or plans out there?
>>
>> Thanks for reading,
>> Jim
>>
>>
>
> I should have taken pics and kept the drawings I made... Just a few
> months ago I made a loft bed for my son. He always loved to play on his
> sisters bunkbeds. It has a shelf under for his computer/dvd player to go
> on, a book shelf, and a good comfortable chair to read in.
>
> Ed

Sounds interesting. I really like some of those loft styles I have seen,
but I'm going to keep this bed closer to the ground, he really moves around
alot in his sleep, and even thought they have rails I feel it's too risky.
Epecially since this would not his home bed, he may not realize where he's
at in the middle of the night and go splat on the floor.

Cheers,
Jim

Jn

"Jim2009"

in reply to "Jim2009" on 29/01/2009 2:06 AM

29/01/2009 4:09 PM


"Woody" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> No plans, but lots of pictures here:
>
> http://www.woodwrecker.com/woodworking/projects/castle%20bed/
>
> I finished and installed this for my daughters 5 days before my twin sons
> were born. We had a local artist paint it. We'll be repainting it to be
> more "boy friendly" and having them use it.
>
> I'd argue that making it for "a child" will make it all the more memorable
> and special. I suspect my daughters will *always* remember their bed.
>
> Doing it again, I'd build the turrets from 12" diameter PVC piping versus
> plywood. Would save time *and* money.
>
> Any questions, give a holler.
>
> ~Mark.

Yes, I bet your kids love that. Too much work for me.

Here's a few more similar to yours

http://www.sweetretreatkids.com/themebeds.html

Check out that space shuttle.

Cheers,
Jim


Jn

"Jim2009"

in reply to "Jim2009" on 29/01/2009 2:06 AM

29/01/2009 3:09 PM


"Aardvark" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Thu, 29 Jan 2009 01:18:42 -0800, [email protected] wrote:
>
>> http://tinyurl.com/djdnfh
>
> Got an error 404 on that link.
>
>
>
> --
> The month of March in this year of 2009 sees the centenary of the laying
> of the keel of the most famous (or infamous) ocean liner of all time, RMS
> Titanic, at Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast.
> < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Titanic>

Me too.... "The page cannot be found"

Cheers,
Jim

Jn

"Jim2009"

in reply to "Jim2009" on 29/01/2009 2:06 AM

29/01/2009 4:01 PM


<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
On Jan 29, 8:57 am, Pat Barber <[email protected]> wrote:

> http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=18923&filter=3d%20bed

> is what I think Robert was suggesting.

Yes it is. Thanks, Pat.

Robert


Thanks Pat and Robert. It gives me ideas. I wonder what they did behind
those doors?

Cheers,
Jim


Uu

"Upscale"

in reply to "Jim2009" on 29/01/2009 2:06 AM

29/01/2009 10:04 AM


"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> What ever you build, don't build it for a 5 year old, or a 6 year old, or
a
> 9 year old. See where I am going with htis? He will be a teenager before
> you know it. Build something that you would not mind sleeping in. Build
> something that you would want to actually keep.

Unless there's another younger up and coming sibling that would be happy to
use it.

Rb

Randy

in reply to "Jim2009" on 29/01/2009 2:06 AM

27/12/2009 8:38 AM

On Thu, 29 Jan 2009 02:06:50 -0600,
In newsgroup "rec.woodworking",
Article <[email protected]>,
"Jim2009" <[email protected]> wrote:


>Hi all,
>
>I have a 5 years nephew that often spends the weekend. I would like to
>build him a bed (twin size). I was thinking about a train bed, but I'm told
>he now thinks Thomas the Train is for babies! LOL. Anyways, I have decided
>to stay away from theme beds. I would like to build a basic box bed with
>some storage (maybe drawers underneath and a headboard with shelves). It
>would be nice if the bed was some how fun for the child, maybe a canopy or
>something. I can build about anything, but finding the right look or idea
>could take me months.
>
>Any good pics or plans out there?
>
>Thanks for reading,
>Jim



Hi Jim. This is a bit late, but I found a good set of
reasonably priced bunk bed plans, and made a bed from them for
my children. It's basic, but it was fairly easy to make,
sturdy, and the kids love playing on it. They just drape
blankets over the side, and use it as a fort. There is also
12 inches of clearance underneath, which allows room for
storage: http://bit.ly/8s3xt5

Jn

"Jim2009"

in reply to "Jim2009" on 29/01/2009 2:06 AM

29/01/2009 3:58 PM


"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Jim2009" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I have a 5 years nephew that often spends the weekend. I would like to
>> build him a bed (twin size). I was thinking about a train bed, but I'm
>> told he now thinks Thomas the Train is for babies! LOL. Anyways, I have
>> decided to stay away from theme beds. I would like to build a basic box
>> bed with some storage (maybe drawers underneath and a headboard with
>> shelves). It would be nice if the bed was some how fun for the child,
>> maybe a canopy or something. I can build about anything, but finding the
>> right look or idea could take me months.
>>
>> Any good pics or plans out there?
>>
>> Thanks for reading,
>> Jim
>>
>>
>
> What ever you build, don't build it for a 5 year old, or a 6 year old, or
> a 9 year old. See where I am going with htis? He will be a teenager
> before you know it. Build something that you would not mind sleeping in.
> Build something that you would want to actually keep.
>

I agree to a certain point. I don't want to make a kids bed, but a bed that
would start out a little interesting for a child but be able to convert into
a more normal bed later on.

This is something like I thinking.

http://www.sweetretreatkids.com/maxtrix-kids-playfort-daybed-BRnat.html

Then as he grows I could remove the tent top.

But I also want storage under it like in this pic.

http://www.kidsfurnituremart.com/kids-beds/twin-beds/valentinabed.cfm

Cheers,
Jim

Lr

"Leon"

in reply to "Jim2009" on 29/01/2009 2:06 AM

29/01/2009 8:19 AM


"Jim2009" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi all,
>
> I have a 5 years nephew that often spends the weekend. I would like to
> build him a bed (twin size). I was thinking about a train bed, but I'm
> told he now thinks Thomas the Train is for babies! LOL. Anyways, I have
> decided to stay away from theme beds. I would like to build a basic box
> bed with some storage (maybe drawers underneath and a headboard with
> shelves). It would be nice if the bed was some how fun for the child,
> maybe a canopy or something. I can build about anything, but finding the
> right look or idea could take me months.
>
> Any good pics or plans out there?
>
> Thanks for reading,
> Jim
>
>

What ever you build, don't build it for a 5 year old, or a 6 year old, or a
9 year old. See where I am going with htis? He will be a teenager before
you know it. Build something that you would not mind sleeping in. Build
something that you would want to actually keep.

Jn

"Jim2009"

in reply to "Jim2009" on 29/01/2009 2:06 AM

29/01/2009 4:06 PM


"Robatoy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:99873ae0-ddbc-4d73-9297-3013d32117d4@f33g2000vbf.googlegroups.com...
On Jan 29, 3:06 am, "Jim2009" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I have a 5 years nephew that often spends the weekend. I would like to
> build him a bed (twin size). I was thinking about a train bed, but I'm
> told
> he now thinks Thomas the Train is for babies! LOL. Anyways, I have decided
> to stay away from theme beds. I would like to build a basic box bed with
> some storage (maybe drawers underneath and a headboard with shelves). It
> would be nice if the bed was some how fun for the child, maybe a canopy or
> something. I can build about anything, but finding the right look or idea
> could take me months.
>
> Any good pics or plans out there?
>
> Thanks for reading,
> Jim

A captain's bed. Timeless design and very versatile. Hang some
nautical elements on the wall around it. Maybe a world map... either
an old style or modern map in a matching frame. Maps feed kids' brains.

:-) The walls are off limits... Here's the coolest one I have seen, but
not for me.

http://www.sweetretreatkids.com/product10.html

Cheers,
Jim

PB

Pat Barber

in reply to "Jim2009" on 29/01/2009 2:06 AM

29/01/2009 2:57 PM

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=18923&filter=3d%20bed

is what I think Robert was suggesting.


Jim2009 wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I have a 5 years nephew that often spends the weekend. I would like to
> build him a bed (twin size). I was thinking about a train bed, but I'm told
> he now thinks Thomas the Train is for babies! LOL. Anyways, I have decided
> to stay away from theme beds. I would like to build a basic box bed with
> some storage (maybe drawers underneath and a headboard with shelves). It
> would be nice if the bed was some how fun for the child, maybe a canopy or
> something. I can build about anything, but finding the right look or idea
> could take me months.
>
> Any good pics or plans out there?
>
> Thanks for reading,
> Jim
>
>


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